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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the frame narrative, the reader is told that the main story's narrator gets his information from the wives of the "burghers" (28). Whose wives are these?
(a) The wives of political officials.
(b) The wives of local indigenous leaders.
(c) The wives of prominent Dutch colonists.
(d) The wives of country farmers.

2. What is Diedrich Knickerbocker's profession?
(a) Farmer.
(b) Writer of novels.
(c) Historian.
(d) Governor.

3. Which nation controls New York at the time when Rip and the village are introduced to the reader?
(a) The United States.
(b) Sweden.
(c) Holland.
(d) Great Britain.

4. Who is Derrick Van Brummel?
(a) The mayor.
(b) The owner of a local hotel.
(c) The schoolmaster.
(d) The owner of the village inn.

5. What is Rip's dog's name?
(a) Wolf.
(b) Dutch.
(c) Dog.
(d) Bear.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 29, the setting sun causes something to light up and glow "like a crown of glory." This is an example of what literary technique?

2. How does Rip's wife treat his dog?

3. How might Rip's house be described?

4. On page 29, the mountains are said to be "lording it over the surrounding country." This is an example of which literary technique?

5. On page 30, the reader learns that Rip is "obsequious" and his wife is a "termagant." What can accurately be said about their relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the condition of Rip's home and farm.

2. Describe the condition of Rip's children.

3. Explain the relationship of Washington Irving, Diedrich Knickerbocker, and Geoffrey Crayon.

4. How is the setting of the Catskills described?

5. What do Rip and his friends do when they gather together outside the village inn, and how does this characterize Rip?

6. Explain what the frame narrative says about the historian who recorded Rip's story--where does his work come from, and how reliable is it?

7. Describe how Rip's relationship with the dog contrasts with his wife's relationship with the dog.

8. What relationship does Rip have with the village children, and how does it characterize him?

9. Describe the contents of the story's epigraph and tell how this relates to the frame narrative.

10. Describe the relationship between Rip and his wife.

(see the answer keys)

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